About Udaipur

Udaipur is often called ‘Venice of the East’ and ‘city of lakes’. Grand City Palace on the banks of the lake along with the Monsoon Palace (Sajjan Garh) on the hill above enhances the beauty of this magnificent city. Udaipur is also the centre for performing arts, crafts and its famed miniature paintings. The Shilpgram festival is a great crowd-puller on New Year.

Maharana Udai Singh founded Udaipur in 1559 AD. According to a legend Udai Singh was guided by a holy man meditating on the hill near Pichola Lake to establish his capital on that very spot. Surrounded by Aravali Ranges, forests and lakes this place was less vulnerable to external invasion than Chittaurgarh. Maharana Udai Singh died in 1572 and was succeeded by Maharana Pratap who valiantly defended Udaipur from Mughal attacks. Maharana Pratap is the most revered Rajput icon who gallantly fought the Mughals at the battle of Haldighati in 1576. Mewar continuously defied foreign invaders and has a history of bloody battles until the British intervention in the nineteenth century when a treaty was signed to protect Udaipur.

Places to visit in Udaipur:

City Palace: A majestic architectural marvel towering over the lake on a hill surrounded by crenellated walls. The ‘Mor Chowk’ known for its exquisite peacock mosaics in glass and the ‘Chini Chitrashala’ noted for its blue and white ceramics are other attractions in the Palace.

Jagdish Temple: The Indo-Aryan temple is the largest and the most beautiful temple with noteworthy sculpted images.

Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum: It houses the interesting collection of Indian folk arts, folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, folk musical instruments, folk deities and paintings.

Saheliyon-ki-Bari: (Garden of the maids of Honour). Small ornamental garden was a popular relaxing spot where royal ladies came for a stroll and hence the name.

Pratap Memorial: Overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake is the memorial of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap with a bronze statue.

Fateh Sagar: A beautiful lake, overlooked by a number of hills on the three sides and the Pratap Memorial on the north and in the middle of lake is Nehru Park- a lovely garden island with a boat shaped café accessible by boat ride.

Pichola Lake: A picturesque lake, surrounded by hills, palaces, temples bathing ghats.

Sajjan Garh: Dominating the city’s skyline is the monsoon palace of Sajjan Garh and offers apanormic overview of thecity’s lakes, palaces and the surrounding country side.

Around Udaipur:
Eklingji: (22 km) Tempe is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the deity of Mewar rulers.

Nagda: (23 km) Ancient site dating back to the 6th century A.D. is renowned for the Sas-Bahu temples with interesting architecture and carvings.

Haldighati: (40 km) Historical site, witness to the great battle fought between Maharana Pratap and Mughal Emperor Akbar.

Nathdwara: (48 km) Themost revered 17th century shrine, dedicated to Shrinathji or Lord Krishna, attracts pilgrims during Diwali,Holi and Janmashtami.

Kankroli: (65 km) Important Vaishnava temple and most important temple of Vallabhacharya sect.

Kumbhalgarh Fort: (84 km) The second principal fortress in Rajasthan after Chittoaurgarh,, it is perched atop the Aravallis. Closeby is the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife sancatuary.

Jaisamand Lake: (55 km) A stunningly situated artificial lake is the second largest in Asia. Island is also worth visiting. Close by is the wildlife sanctuary.

Ranakpur: (90 km) The beautifully sculptured Jain temples lie in a tranquil valley of the Aravalis. It has 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, all distinctly carved.

BACK